Trevor Ariza heads to Suns; Rockets to re-sign Gerald Green

The Rockets lost Trevor Ariza to free agency as he agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Suns. The Rockets were able to come to terms with Gerald Green on a one-year deal, though.

The Rockets lost Trevor Ariza to free agency as he agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Suns. The Rockets were able to come to terms with Gerald Green on a one-year deal, though.

Photo: Getty/Brett Coomer

Photo: Getty/Brett Coomer

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The Rockets lost Trevor Ariza to free agency as he agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Suns. The Rockets were able to come to terms with Gerald Green on a one-year deal, though.

The Rockets lost Trevor Ariza to free agency as he agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Suns. The Rockets were able to come to terms with Gerald Green on a one-year deal, though.

Photo: Getty/Brett Coomer

Trevor Ariza heads to Suns; Rockets to re-sign Gerald Green

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The Rockets' hopes to keep their rotation together ended nearly as soon as free agent negotiations officially began late Saturday night when veteran forward Trevor Ariza accepted a one-year, $15 million contract with the Phoenix Suns. But the Rockets as quickly locked up one of their other free agent rotation players, coming to an agreement on a one-year, $2.4 million deal with Gerald Green.

Because Green will sign for a veteran's minimum, his contract will bring a $1.5 million cap hit.

Ariza had been a valuable 3-point shooter and reliable key to their switching defense, if not quite as strong a one-on-one defender as he had been when he returned to the Rockets and could be assigned to defend anyone from power forwards to point guards.

For four seasons, he was also valuable as a locker room influence with a selfless attitude and playing style with an unwavering energy level.

The Rockets had hoped to keep Ariza, but deep into luxury taxes following an agreement with Chris Paul, knew there was a strong chance they could be outbid. With the Rockets' tax situation, Ariza's contract with the Suns could have cost in excess of $50 million, depending on other moves to be made.

The Rockets are almost $5 million over the luxury tax line with a meeting scheduled with coveted free agent center Clint Capela on Sunday and hopes to keep Luc Mbah a Moute. The Rockets are likely to also spend their taxpayer mid-level exception worth $5.337 million.

Green joined the Rockets Dec. 28 with a 10-day contract, quickly becoming a valuable emergency replacement. He cemented his place with the team not only with instant offense but his enthusiastic acceptance of any role, including when he was out of the rotation after Joe Johnson signed late in the season.